Technical
Understanding the Minimum Boundary Element Length Limits on Strain
While not explicitly listed as a strain limit, the minimum boundary element size can have a large effect on how high maximum compressiv...
Full Multi-Storey Design Process Diagram for the high achievers out there
Nerd Alert: This isn't need to know information but may be useful for someone out there who is digging into the MASS Multi-Storey Shear...
How to use MASS to help with Pilaster Design
While there is no "pilaster module" within MASS, the walls module can be adapted to assist with their design
This article or...
What is the Difference Between Fixed and Cantilever Pier Designations in a Shearline?
When designing a Shearline using MASS, the software relies on you to determine how the wall behaves
This article originally ...
How to model individual storeys of a multi-storey shear wall within MASS
In the absence of a true multi-storey MASS module (Update: added in V4.0), there are steps that can be taken to use MASS effectively fo...
What is the Difference Between Height and Total Height when Designing a Shear Wall in MASS?
Understanding the Total Height input when using MASS can add considerable moment capacity to a shear wall design
This articl...
MASS Bug Notification: Critical buckling load overestimated for some reinforced walls under high axial load
Understanding the issue, when it can come up, and what can be done to account for it
This article originally was featured on...
What is the difference between the length, clear span, bearing length, and design length of a masonry beam in MASS?
Understand the different values and what they represent
This article originally was featured on the MASS Software Blog, form...
Masonry Beam Design: How to design beams with what might seem like less than the minimum reinforcement ratio
When a design seems like it might not meet minimum steel, all hope is not lost
While there is no way around satisfying the minimum ste...
Why does MASS use unreinforced analysis for a design with reinforcement?
Adding steel to a wall design does not necessarily mean that the steel is being used.
This article covers the basics on how to avoid a...